"After days of declining to confirm reports that Moscow is sending military equipment and troops into Syria to protect the embattled Assad regime and Russian assets in the war-torn country," Defense One reports that "Pentagon officials said Monday that Russian forces are establishing a forward air operating base near the country’s Mediterranean coast."

"Last week, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that his country was sending troops and equipment into Syria, and he urged Washington to reestablish talks with Russia’s defense officials in order to avoid 'unintended incidents' there... t’s unclear how the Pentagon will address the deconfliction concern without military-to-military contact. Davis said there are no plans to break the silence; the only communication at this time is diplomatic, primarily between Secretary of State John Kerry and Lavrov."